# Timeline of the National Football League

This timeline of the National Football League (NFL) tracks the history of each of the league's 32 current franchises from the early days of the league, through its merger with the American Football League (AFL). The history of franchises that began as independent teams, or as members of the Ohio League, New York Pro Football League, and other defunct leagues are shown as well.

## 1920–1932: The Birth of the NFL
### 1920

The American Professional Football Association is formed on September 17, 1920, at Canton, Ohio, with Jim Thorpe elected president. The fourteen teams were mainly drawn from the Ohio League, Chicago Circuit, New York Pro Football League and other teams from the lower midwest. A $100 membership fee was charged. The Chicago Tigers folded after the season.
The Massillon Tigers were represented at the September 17 meeting by Ralph Hay, but they never played in the league. As such, they are considered a charter member on a technicality.
* Team folded this season ^
1920 APFA teams :
| Akron Pros | Dayton Triangles |
| Buffalo All-Americans | Decatur Staleys |
| Canton Bulldogs | Detroit Heralds |
| Chicago Cardinals | Hammond Pros |
| Chicago Tigers ^ | Muncie Flyers |
| Cleveland Tigers | Rochester Jeffersons |
| Columbus Panhandles | Rock Island Independents |

### 1921

The American Professional Football Association is reorganized at Akron, Ohio on April 30, 1921, with Joe F. Carr elected as new league president. With the low entry barrier of a $100 membership fee, the number of teams balloons to 21. Four of these franchises would last only one season, with Tonawanda Kardex only making it through a single game. Three other franchises folded mid-season.
1921 name changes :
| 1920 team name | 1921 team name |
| Cleveland Tigers | Cleveland Indians |
| Decatur Staleys | Chicago Staleys |
| Detroit Heralds | Detroit Tigers |
| First season in APFA * | Team folded this season ^ | Only season in the league *^ |
1921 APFA teams :
| Akron Pros | Columbus Panhandles | Minneapolis Marines * |
| Buffalo All-Americans | Dayton Triangles | Muncie Flyers ^ |
| Canton Bulldogs | Detroit Tigers ^ | New York Brickley Giants *^ |
| Chicago Cardinals | Evansville Crimson Giants * | Rochester Jeffersons |
| Chicago Staleys | Green Bay Packers * | Rock Island Independents |
| Cincinnati Celts *^ | Hammond Pros | Tonawanda Kardex *^ |
| Cleveland Indians ^ | Louisville Brecks * | Washington Senators *^ |

### 1922

The APFA was renamed the National Football League on June 24, 1922. Four new franchises were awarded.
1922 name change :
| 1921 team name | 1922 team name |
| Chicago Staleys | Chicago Bears |
| First season in NFL * | Team folded this season ^ |
1922 NFL teams :
| Akron Pros | Dayton Triangles | Minneapolis Marines |
| Buffalo All-Americans | Evansville Crimson Giants ^ | Oorang Indians * |
| Canton Bulldogs | Green Bay Packers | Racine Legion * |
| Chicago Bears | Hammond Pros | Rochester Jeffersons |
| Chicago Cardinals | Louisville Brecks | Rock Island Independents |
| Columbus Panhandles | Milwaukee Badgers * | Toledo Maroons * |

### 1923

A new and distinct Cleveland Indians franchise was formed. Two other teams joined the NFL, the Duluth Kelleys and the St. Louis All Stars. The St. Louis team folded after one season.
1923 name change :
| 1922 team name | 1923 team name |
| Columbus Panhandles | Columbus Tigers |
| First season in NFL * | Team folded this season ^ | Last season before hiatus, rejoined league later § | Only season in the league *^ |
1923 NFL teams :
| Akron Pros | Cleveland Indians * | Hammond Pros | Racine Legion |
| Buffalo All-Americans | Columbus Tigers | Louisville Brecks ^ | Rochester Jeffersons |
| Canton Bulldogs § | Dayton Triangles | Milwaukee Badgers | Rock Island Independents |
| Chicago Bears | Duluth Kelleys * | Minneapolis Marines | St. Louis All Stars *^ |
| Chicago Cardinals | Green Bay Packers | Oorang Indians ^ | Toledo Maroons ^ |

### 1924

Before the season, the owner of the Cleveland Indians bought the Canton Bulldogs and "mothballed" it, taking the team's nickname and players to Cleveland for the season. The Canton Bulldogs had won the NFL championship in 1923, and won it again as the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1924.
1924 name changes :
| 1923 team name | 1924 team name |
| Buffalo All-Americans | Buffalo Bisons |
| Cleveland Indians | Cleveland Bulldogs |
| First season in NFL * | Last season before hiatus, rejoined league later § | Only season in the league *^ |
1924 NFL teams :
| Akron Pros | Dayton Triangles | Kenosha Maroons *^ |
| Buffalo Bisons | Duluth Kelleys | Milwaukee Badgers |
| Chicago Bears | Frankford Yellow Jackets * | Minneapolis Marines § |
| Chicago Cardinals | Green Bay Packers | Racine Legion § |
| Cleveland Bulldogs | Hammond Pros | Rochester Jeffersons |
| Columbus Tigers | Kansas City Blues * | Rock Island Independents |

### 1925

The Canton Bulldogs were reactivated. Four other franchises were awarded, including most notably a New York City franchise awarded to Timothy J. Mara and Will Gibson for a $2,500 membership fee, the New York Giants. This was the final season for the Rochester Jeffersons.
1925 name change :
| 1924 team name | 1925 team name |
| Kansas City Blues | Kansas City Cowboys |
| First season in NFL * | Last active season ^ | Last season before hiatus, rejoined league later § |
| Team jumped to the AFL † | Rejoined the NFL ** | |
1925 NFL teams :
| Akron Pros | Cleveland Bulldogs § | Frankford Yellow Jackets | New York Giants * |
| Buffalo Bisons | Columbus Tigers | Green Bay Packers | Pottsville Maroons * |
| Canton Bulldogs ** | Dayton Triangles | Hammond Pros | Providence Steam Roller * |
| Chicago Bears | Detroit Panthers * | Kansas City Cowboys | Rochester Jeffersons ^ |
| Chicago Cardinals | Duluth Kelleys | Milwaukee Badgers | Rock Island Independents † |

### 1926

The league grew to 22 teams, a figure that would not be equaled in professional football until 1961, adding the Brooklyn Lions, the Hartford Blues, the Los Angeles Buccaneers, and the Louisville Colonels, with Racine Tornadoes re-entering.
At a league meeting held February 7, 1926, each franchise's roster was limited to a maximum of 18 players, with a minimum of 15.
1926 name changes :
| 1925 team name | 1926 team name |
| Akron Pros | Akron Indians |
| Buffalo Bisons | Buffalo Rangers |
| Duluth Kelleys | Duluth Eskimos |
| Racine Legion | Racine Tornadoes |
| Only season in the league *^ | Rejoined the NFL ** | Last active season ^ |
1926 NFL teams :
| Akron Indians ^ | Green Bay Packers |
| Brooklyn Lions *^ | Hammond Pros ^ |
| Buffalo Rangers | Hartford Blues *^ |
| Canton Bulldogs ^ | Kansas City Cowboys ^ |
| Chicago Bears | Los Angeles Buccaneers *^ |
| Chicago Cardinals | Louisville Colonels *^ |
| Columbus Tigers ^ | Milwaukee Badgers ^ |
| Dayton Triangles | New York Giants |
| Detroit Panthers ^ | Pottsville Maroons |
| Duluth Eskimos | Providence Steam Roller |
| Frankford Yellow Jackets | Racine Tornadoes ** ^ |

### 1927

Prior to the season, the league decided to eliminate the financially weaker teams. As a result, the league dropped from 22 to 12 teams, and a majority of the remaining teams were centered around the East Coast instead of the Midwest, where the NFL had started. The New York Yankees were added from the American Football League (AFL I) and the Cleveland Bulldogs returned.
1927 name change :
| 1926 team name | 1927 team name |
| Buffalo Rangers | Buffalo Bisons |
| Rejoined the NFL ** | Merged from AFL I * |
| Last active season ^ | Last season before hiatus, rejoined league later § |
1927 NFL teams :
* Buffalo Bisons §
* Chicago Bears
* Chicago Cardinals
* Cleveland Bulldogs **
* Dayton Triangles
* Duluth Eskimos ^
* Frankford Yellow Jackets
* Green Bay Packers
* New York Giants
* New York Yankees *
* Pottsville Maroons
* Providence Steam Roller

### 1928

The league drops to 10 teams, the Buffalo Bisons sat out the season and the Duluth Eskimos folded. The Cleveland Bulldogs moved and played as the Detroit Wolverines.
1928 name change :
| 1927 team name | 1928 team name |
| Cleveland Bulldogs | Detroit Wolverines |
* Last active season ^
1928 NFL teams :
* Chicago Bears
* Chicago Cardinals
* Dayton Triangles
* Detroit Wolverines ^
* Frankford Yellow Jackets
* Green Bay Packers
* New York Giants
* New York Yankees ^
* Pottsville Maroons
* Providence Steam Roller

### 1929

The league increased back to 12 teams with the addition of two franchises, the Staten Island Stapletons and the Orange Tornadoes. Two mothballed teams activated for the season. Minneapolis re-entered as the Red Jackets along with the re-entry of the Buffalo Bisons.
1929 name changes :
| 1928 team name | 1929 team name |
| Minneapolis Marines | Minneapolis Red Jackets |
| Pottsville Maroons | Boston Bulldogs |
| First season in NFL * | Rejoined the NFL ** | Last active season ^ |
1929 NFL teams :
* Boston Bulldogs ^
* Buffalo Bisons ** ^
* Chicago Bears
* Chicago Cardinals
* Dayton Triangles
* Frankford Yellow Jackets
* Green Bay Packers
* Minneapolis Red Jackets **
* New York Giants
* Orange Tornadoes *
* Providence Steam Roller
* Staten Island Stapletons *

### 1930

Prior to the season, Brooklyn businessmen William B. Dwyer and John C. Depler bought the Dayton Triangles, moved it, and renamed it the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Orange Tornadoes relocated to Newark. The Portsmouth Spartans entered as a new team, bringing the total to 11 teams.
The league roster limit was expanded to a maximum of 20 players, with a minimum of 16 required.
1930 name changes :
| 1929 team name | 1930 team name |
| Dayton Triangles | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| Orange Tornadoes | Newark Tornadoes |
| First season in NFL * | Last active season ^ |
1930 NFL teams :
* Brooklyn Dodgers
* Chicago Bears
* Chicago Cardinals
* Frankford Yellow Jackets
* Green Bay Packers
* Minneapolis Red Jackets ^
* New York Giants
* Newark Tornadoes ^
* Portsmouth Spartans *
* Providence Steam Roller
* Staten Island Stapletons

### 1931

The league decreased to 10 teams due to financial hardships caused by the Great Depression. While the Cleveland Indians joined as an expansion team, the league lost the Minneapolis Red Jackets and the Newark Tornadoes, and the Frankford Yellow Jackets folded midway through the season.
| Only season in the league *^ | Last active season ^ |
1931 NFL teams :
* Brooklyn Dodgers
* Chicago Bears
* Chicago Cardinals
* Cleveland Indians *^
* Frankford Yellow Jackets ^
* Green Bay Packers
* New York Giants
* Portsmouth Spartans
* Providence Steam Roller ^
* Staten Island Stapletons

### 1932

The Boston Braves enfranchised bringing the total to 8 teams.
| First season in NFL * | Team folded this season ^ |
1932 NFL teams :
* Boston Braves *
* Brooklyn Dodgers
* Chicago Bears
* Chicago Cardinals
* Green Bay Packers
* New York Giants
* Portsmouth Spartans
* Staten Island Stapletons ^

## 1933–1939: Start of Championship Game
### 1933

The barrier to entry was raised again with the July 8 decision to increase the league membership fee to $10,000. Despite the fee increase, three new teams were added — the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
* The league split into Eastern and Western Divisions with the winner of each division playing in the NFL Championship Game.
* The 1933 season was the first in which no NFL team folded or suspended operations.
1933 name change :
| 1932 team name | 1933 team name |
| Boston Braves | Boston Redskins |
* First season in NFL *
1933 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| Boston Redskins | Chicago Bears |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | Chicago Cardinals |
| New York Giants | Cincinnati Reds * |
| Philadelphia Eagles * | Green Bay Packers |
| Pittsburgh Pirates * | Portsmouth Spartans |

### 1934

* Portsmouth Spartans moved to Detroit and renamed the Lions.
* Cincinnati Reds ceased operations during the season and were replaced by the St Louis Gunners for the final 3 games.
1934 name change :
| 1933 team name | 1934 team name |
| Portsmouth Spartans | Detroit Lions |
| Only season in the league *^ | Last active season ^ |
1934 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| Boston Redskins | Chicago Bears |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | Chicago Cardinals |
| New York Giants | Cincinnati Reds ^ |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Detroit Lions |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Green Bay Packers |
| | St. Louis Gunners*^ |

### 1935–1936

* Neither the Cincinnati Reds nor St. Louis Gunners returned for the 1935 season.
The NFL raised its roster limit to 24 players effective with the 1935 season and again to 25 players for 1936.
1935–1936 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| Boston Redskins | Chicago Bears |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | Chicago Cardinals |
| New York Giants | Detroit Lions |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | |

### 1937–1939

* Cleveland Rams joined from the American Football League (AFL II).
* Boston Redskins moved to Washington, D.C.
The league raised the roster limit to 30 players per team effective with the 1938 season.
1937 name change :
| 1936 team name | 1937 team name |
| Boston Redskins | Washington Redskins |
* 1937 is first season in NFL *
1937–1939 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Chicago Cardinals |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Cleveland Rams * |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Detroit Lions |
| Washington Redskins | Green Bay Packers |

## The 1940s: World War II mergers
### 1940–1942

* Pittsburgh franchise changed its nickname from the Pirates to the Steelers before the start of the 1940 season.
The NFL raised the maximum number of players allowed on a league roster from 30 to 33 players effective with the 1940 season.
1940 name change :
| 1939 team name | 1940 team name |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Pittsburgh Steelers |
* Team mothballed after season, rejoined league 1944 §
1940–1942 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Chicago Cardinals |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Cleveland Rams § |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Detroit Lions |
| Washington Redskins | Green Bay Packers |

### 1943

As America became more deeply embroiled in World War II, the Cleveland Rams suspend operations for the 1943 season due to a major loss in players. The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers were able to work around the player shortage by merging to form the "Phil-Pitt Steagles."
The size of the active roster reduced from 33 to 28 players per team. Intent of this reduction was to appease the Office of Defense Transportation by reducing the impact of travel by road teams. Additionally, teams primarily used day coaches rather than sleeper cars, a more efficient albeit less comfortable mode of travel. This continued through the 1944 season.
* Two teams merge for season †
1943 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Chicago Cardinals |
| Phil-Pitt Steagles † | Detroit Lions |
| Washington Redskins | Green Bay Packers |

### 1944

* Boston Yanks enfranchised.
* Cleveland Rams resumed operations.
* Steagles end merger, Eagles resumed operations.
* Steelers merged with the Cardinals to form "Card-Pitt".
1944 name change :
| 1943 team name | 1944 team name |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | Brooklyn Tigers |
| First season in NFL * | Rejoined the NFL ** | Two teams merge for season † |
1944 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| Boston Yanks * | Chicago Bears |
| Brooklyn Tigers | Card-Pitt † |
| New York Giants | Cleveland Rams ** |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Detroit Lions |
| Washington Redskins | Green Bay Packers |

### 1945

* Card-Pitt was resplit into the Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers.
* Brooklyn Tigers franchise merged with the Boston Yanks, named simply "The Yanks".
The Active player limit was returned to its pre-war size of 33 players.
* Two teams merge for season †
1945 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| The Yanks † | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Chicago Cardinals |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Cleveland Rams |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Detroit Lions |
| Washington Redskins | Green Bay Packers |

### 1946–1948

* Cleveland Rams moved to Los Angeles ahead of the 1946 season.
* With World War II at an end, the Boston Yanks resumed normal operations, although the Brooklyn Tigers franchise was permanently terminated.
Effective with the 1948 season, the NFL again raised its roster limit for member teams, increasing the maximum from 33 to 35 players.
1946 name change :
| 1945 team name | 1946 team name |
| Cleveland Rams | Los Angeles Rams |
* Last active season was 1948 ^
1946–1948 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| Boston Yanks ^ | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Chicago Cardinals |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Detroit Lions |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Green Bay Packers |
| Washington Redskins | Los Angeles Rams |

### 1949

* Boston Yanks ceased operations after the 1948 season, with the remains of the team enfranchised in 1949 as the New York Bulldogs.
The size of the active roster was reduced to 32 players.
* First season in NFL *
1949 NFL teams :
| Eastern Division | Western Division |
| New York Bulldogs * | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Chicago Cardinals |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Detroit Lions |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Green Bay Packers |
| Washington Redskins | Los Angeles Rams |

## The 1950s: AAFC merger
### 1950

* Eastern Division renamed to American Conference.
* Western Division renamed to National Conference.
* San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and the first Baltimore Colts all enfranchised from now-defunct All-America Football Conference. The Colts folded after the season.
* New York Bulldogs changed name to New York Yanks and moved to the National Conference.
* Chicago Cardinals moved to the American Conference.
1950 name change :
| 1949 team name | 1950 team name |
| New York Bulldogs | New York Yanks |
| Teams merge from AAFC ** | Last active season ^ |
1950 NFL teams :
| American Conference | National Conference |
| Chicago Cardinals | Baltimore Colts ** ^ |
| Cleveland Browns ** | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Detroit Lions |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Los Angeles Rams |
| Washington Redskins | New York Yanks |
| | San Francisco 49ers ** |

### 1951

The NFL increased the maximum size of team rosters from 32 to 33 players effective with the 1951 season. This would remain in effect through 1956.
* Last active season ^
1951 NFL teams :
| American Conference | National Conference |
| Chicago Cardinals | Chicago Bears |
| Cleveland Browns | Detroit Lions |
| New York Giants | Green Bay Packers |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Los Angeles Rams |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | New York Yanks ^ |
| Washington Redskins | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1952

* New York Yanks ceased operations after the 1951 season, with the remains of the team enfranchised for 1952 as the Dallas Texans, but the team terminated after one season. It remains the last NFL team to fold due to financial reasons.
* Only season in the league *^
1952 NFL teams :
| American Conference | National Conference |
| Chicago Cardinals | Chicago Bears |
| Cleveland Browns | Dallas Texans *^ |
| New York Giants | Detroit Lions |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Los Angeles Rams |
| Washington Redskins | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1953–1959

* The 1953 season saw a renaming of the league's two conferences, with the American Conference renamed the Eastern Conference and the National Conference renamed the Western Conference.
* A second and distinct Baltimore Colts team was enfranchised from the remains of the Dallas Texans.
Effective with the 1957 season, the NFL raised its roster limit from 33 to 35 players per team. The roster limit was raised again for the 1959 season, this time to 36 players per team.
* 1953 is first season in NFL *
1953–1959 NFL teams :
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
| Chicago Cardinals | Baltimore Colts * |
| Cleveland Browns | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Detroit Lions |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Los Angeles Rams |
| Washington Redskins | San Francisco 49ers |

## The 1960s: NFL and AFL
### 1960

* The American Football League (AFL) began operations with eight teams as a rival to the NFL.
* Dallas Cowboys were enfranchised by the NFL.
* Chicago Cardinals moved to St. Louis.
The roster limit was raised to 38 players per team for the 1960 season.
1960 name change :
| 1959 team name | 1960 team name |
| Chicago Cardinals | St. Louis Cardinals |
* First season in NFL *
1960 NFL teams :
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
| Cleveland Browns | Baltimore Colts |
| New York Giants | Chicago Bears |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Dallas Cowboys * |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Detroit Lions |
| St. Louis Cardinals | Green Bay Packers |
| Washington Redskins | Los Angeles Rams |
| | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1961–1962

* Minnesota Vikings enfranchised by the NFL in 1961, with the Dallas Cowboys moving to the Eastern Conference.
* AFL's Los Angeles Chargers moved to San Diego.
The league also reduced the roster limit from 38 back to 36 players during these two years.
1961 name change :
| 1960 team name | 1961 team name |
| Los Angeles Chargers | San Diego Chargers |
* 1961 is first season in NFL *
1961–1962 NFL teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Cleveland Browns | Baltimore Colts |
| Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Detroit Lions |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Los Angeles Rams |
| St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings * |
| Washington Redskins | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1963–1965

* Facing a divided sports market due to the establishment of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, the AFL's Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City to become the Kansas City Chiefs.
* Titans of New York renamed as the New York Jets.
In the NFL, the roster limit was raised in 1963 to 37 players and in 1964 to 40 players — a number which remained constant until the end of the 1973 season.
1963 name changes :
| 1962 team name | 1963 team name |
| Dallas Texans | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Titans of New York | New York Jets |
1963–1965 NFL teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Cleveland Browns | Baltimore Colts |
| Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears |
| New York Giants | Detroit Lions |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Los Angeles Rams |
| St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings |
| Washington Redskins | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1966

* Atlanta Falcons enfranchised by the NFL and Miami Dolphins by the AFL.
* The two leagues played the first AFL–NFL championship game (later known as the Super Bowl) after the conclusion of the season.
| First season in NFL * | First season in AFL ** |
1966 NFL teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Atlanta Falcons * | Baltimore Colts |
| Cleveland Browns | Chicago Bears |
| Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions |
| New York Giants | Green Bay Packers |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Los Angeles Rams |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Minnesota Vikings |
| St. Louis Cardinals | San Francisco 49ers |
| Washington Redskins | |

### 1967

* NFL Eastern Conference divided into Capitol and Century Divisions.
* NFL Western Conference divided into Coastal and Central Divisions.
* New Orleans Saints enfranchised by the NFL.
* Atlanta Falcons moved to the Western Conference.
* First season in NFL *
1967 NFL teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western |
| Capitol | Century | Central | Coastal |
| Dallas Cowboys | Cleveland Browns | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| New Orleans Saints * | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Baltimore Colts |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Pittsburgh Steelers | Green Bay Packers | Los Angeles Rams |
| Washington Redskins | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1968

* Cincinnati Bengals enfranchised by the AFL.
* New York Giants moved to the Capitol Division.
* New Orleans Saints moved to the Century Division.
* First season in AFL **
1968 NFL teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western |
| Capitol | Century | Central | Coastal |
| Dallas Cowboys | Cleveland Browns | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| New York Giants | New Orleans Saints | Detroit Lions | Baltimore Colts |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Pittsburgh Steelers | Green Bay Packers | Los Angeles Rams |
| Washington Redskins | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1969

* New York Giants moved back to the Century Division.
* New Orleans Saints moved back to the Capitol Division.
1969 NFL teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western |
| Capitol | Century | Central | Coastal |
| Dallas Cowboys | Cleveland Browns | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| New Orleans Saints | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Baltimore Colts |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Pittsburgh Steelers | Green Bay Packers | Los Angeles Rams |
| Washington Redskins | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |

## The 1970s: AFL–NFL merger
### 1970

* AFL and NFL merge
** AFL Eastern and Western Divisions became AFC East and AFC West, respectively.
** AFC Central formed
** NFL Capitol Division became nucleus of NFC East.
** NFL Central Division became NFC Central.
** NFL Coastal Division became nucleus of NFC West.
** NFL Century Division teams split up between AFC Central and NFC East.
* Baltimore moved from NFL Coastal to AFC East.
* Cincinnati moved from AFL West to AFC Central.
* Houston moved from AFL East to AFC Central.
* Cleveland and Pittsburgh moved from NFL Century to AFC Central.
* New York Giants and St. Louis moved from NFL Century to NFC East.
* New Orleans moved from NFL Capitol to NFC West.
1970 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Baltimore Colts | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Boston Patriots | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Houston Oilers | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | | |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | | |

### 1971–1975

* Boston Patriots are renamed New England Patriots.
In 1974 the size of the active player roster was increased from 40 to 47 players before being lowered to 43 the following season.

### 1976

* Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers enfranchised.
* First season in NFL *
1976 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Baltimore Colts | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Houston Oilers | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | | Tampa Bay Buccaneers * |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | | Seattle Seahawks * |

### 1977–1981

* Seattle moved from NFC West to AFC West.
* Tampa Bay moved from AFC West to NFC Central.
In 1978 the size of the active roster was increased from 43 to 45 players, where it would remain through the 1981 season.
1977–1981 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Baltimore Colts | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Houston Oilers | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | | Seattle Seahawks |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |

## The 1980s and 1990s: Relocation and expansion
### 1982–1983

* Oakland Raiders moved to Los Angeles in 1982.
After the first two games of the 1982 season the size of the active roster was increased from 45 to 49 players, where it would remain through the end of the 1984 season.
1982–1983 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Baltimore Colts | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Houston Oilers | Los Angeles Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | | Seattle Seahawks |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |

### 1984–1987

* Baltimore Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984.
In 1985 size of the active roster was reduced again from 49 to 45 — where it would remain through the end of the 1990 season.
1984–1987 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Indianapolis Colts | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Houston Oilers | Los Angeles Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | | Seattle Seahawks |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | St. Louis Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |

### 1988–1993

* St. Louis Cardinals moved to Phoenix in 1988.
In 1991 the league allowed teams to add a third "emergency" quarterback to their active 45 man rosters—a system that would remain in effect through the end of the 2010 season.
1988–1993 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Indianapolis Colts | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Houston Oilers | Los Angeles Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | | Seattle Seahawks |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | Phoenix Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |

### 1994

* Phoenix Cardinals renamed Arizona Cardinals.
1994 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Indianapolis Colts | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Houston Oilers | Los Angeles Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | | Seattle Seahawks |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Arizona Cardinals | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | New York Giants | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |

### 1995

* Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars enfranchised.
* Los Angeles Raiders moved back to Oakland.
* Los Angeles Rams moved to St. Louis.
* First season in NFL *
1995 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Indianapolis Colts | Cleveland Browns | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Houston Oilers | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Jacksonville Jaguars * | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Seattle Seahawks |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Arizona Cardinals | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers * |
| NFC | New York Giants | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Minnesota Vikings | St. Louis Rams |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1996

* Cleveland Browns franchise deactivated.
* Baltimore Ravens enfranchised with remains of deactivated Cleveland Browns.
* First season in NFL *
1996 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens * | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Indianapolis Colts | Cincinnati Bengals | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Houston Oilers | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Jacksonville Jaguars | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Seattle Seahawks |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Arizona Cardinals | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers |
| NFC | New York Giants | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Minnesota Vikings | St. Louis Rams |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1997–1998

* Houston Oilers announced that they will move to Nashville and renamed the Tennessee Oilers. They played the 1997 season in Memphis and the 1998 season at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville while a new stadium was built in Nashville.
1997–1998 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Indianapolis Colts | Cincinnati Bengals | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Jacksonville Jaguars | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | Tennessee Oilers | Seattle Seahawks |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Arizona Cardinals | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers |
| NFC | New York Giants | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Minnesota Vikings | St. Louis Rams |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | San Francisco 49ers |

### 1999–2001

* Cleveland Browns franchise reinstated.
* Tennessee Oilers renamed Tennessee Titans.
1999–2001 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | Central | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Indianapolis Colts | Cincinnati Bengals | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Cleveland Browns | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Jacksonville Jaguars | San Diego Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Seattle Seahawks |
| AFC | | Tennessee Titans | |
| NFC | East | Central | West |
| NFC | Arizona Cardinals | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers |
| NFC | New York Giants | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Minnesota Vikings | St. Louis Rams |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | San Francisco 49ers |

## The 2000s: Realignment
### 2002–2015

* The NFL realigned to create four divisions in each conference with four teams in each division.
** Arizona (NFC East) and Seattle (AFC West) joined the NFC West.
** NFC Central renamed NFC North.
** AFC Central renamed AFC North.
** NFC South created.
*** Tampa Bay moved from the old NFC Central.
*** New Orleans, Atlanta, and Carolina moved from the NFC West.
** AFC South created.
*** Jacksonville and Tennessee moved from the old AFC Central.
*** Indianapolis moved from the AFC East.
** Houston Texans enfranchised.
In 2011 the active roster limit was shifted from 45 + 1 emergency quarterback to an undifferentiated 46 players. This would remain in effect through the end of the 2019 season.
* 2002 is first season in NFL *
2002–2015 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | North | South | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens | Houston Texans * | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Cincinnati Bengals | Indianapolis Colts | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Cleveland Browns | Jacksonville Jaguars | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tennessee Titans | San Diego Chargers |
| NFC | East | North | South | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons | Arizona Cardinals |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers | St. Louis Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Minnesota Vikings | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Seattle Seahawks |

### 2016

* St. Louis Rams returned to Los Angeles.
2016 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | North | South | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens | Houston Texans | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Cincinnati Bengals | Indianapolis Colts | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Cleveland Browns | Jacksonville Jaguars | Oakland Raiders |
| AFC | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tennessee Titans | San Diego Chargers |
| NFC | East | North | South | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons | Arizona Cardinals |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Minnesota Vikings | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Seattle Seahawks |

### 2017–2019

* San Diego Chargers returned to Los Angeles.
2017–2019 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | North | South | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens | Houston Texans | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Cincinnati Bengals | Indianapolis Colts | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Cleveland Browns | Jacksonville Jaguars | Los Angeles Chargers |
| AFC | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tennessee Titans | Oakland Raiders |
| NFC | East | North | South | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons | Arizona Cardinals |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | Minnesota Vikings | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Seattle Seahawks |

### 2020–2021

* Oakland Raiders moved to Las Vegas.
* Washington Redskins adopted the temporary name of Washington Football Team in response to controversy over their previous name.
The size of the active roster was increased to 47 players — 48 if there were 8 offensive linemen activated.
2020–2021 NFL teams :
| AFC | East | North | South | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens | Houston Texans | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Cincinnati Bengals | Indianapolis Colts | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Cleveland Browns | Jacksonville Jaguars | Las Vegas Raiders |
| AFC | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tennessee Titans | Los Angeles Chargers |
| NFC | East | North | South | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons | Arizona Cardinals |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Football Team | Minnesota Vikings | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Seattle Seahawks |

### 2022–present

* Washington Football Team was renamed Washington Commanders in 2022.
In 2023 the 47 man active roster was expanded to allow a third "emergency" quarterback.
2022–present NFL teams :
| AFC | East | North | South | West |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens | Houston Texans | Denver Broncos |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | Cincinnati Bengals | Indianapolis Colts | Kansas City Chiefs |
| AFC | New England Patriots | Cleveland Browns | Jacksonville Jaguars | Las Vegas Raiders |
| AFC | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tennessee Titans | Los Angeles Chargers |
| NFC | East | North | South | West |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons | Arizona Cardinals |
| NFC | New York Giants | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers | Los Angeles Rams |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | Green Bay Packers | New Orleans Saints | San Francisco 49ers |
| NFC | Washington Commanders | Minnesota Vikings | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Seattle Seahawks |